Advances in Computational Analysis of Masonry Structures

Nowadays, numerical models aid significantly the engineers in the structural assessment of ordinary and monumental existing masonry buildings. Indeed, these models can be used to predict the structural response to extraordinary loads, and so to evaluate the main weaknesses and the safety of a masonry structure. Nevertheless, given the deep complexities and uncertainties which characterize the geometry of historic buildings and the mechanical response of masonry, the computational analysis of masonry structures is still a challenging task. In this thesis, some recent advances in computational analysis of masonry structures are presented. Essentially, after a comprehensive review of the existing modeling strategies for masonry structures, the advancements pursued in the framework of mesh generation procedures for historic monumental buildings, analysis of seismically interacting structures, analysis of leaning historic structures, and block-based modeling of masonry structures, are shown and discussed.